Media, knowledge sciences faculty (Maks) launched

The University has launched a new faculty – The Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences (Maks) – which includes and extends the remit of the Centre for Communication Technology.

The faculty was launched by University rector Juanito Camilleri and faculty Dean Fr Saviour Chircop, during an event held last Monday.

Fr Chircop explained that the faculty will integrate communication science within a larger framework which will be conducive to the study of “knowledge creation, assimilation and transfer, and its application and social implications”.

The new faculty will consist of six departments, the first being the Department of Media and Communications, headed by Fr Chircop, which, while focusing on the current undergraduate programme in communications, plans to offer a postgraduate degree in media and English.

The Department of Library Information and Archive Sciences, under the leadership of William Zammit, intends to meet the challenges provided by the Malta Libraries Act currently being discussed in Parliament and the National Archives Act. An undergraduate course will be available as an area of specialisation in the day programmes of the University.

Albert Caruana will lead the Department of Corporate Communications, which aims to address the challenges faced by businesses. It will continue its postgraduate programme in integrated marketing communications in conjunction with San Diego State University.

Acknowledging the impact of new technologies, the faculty will have a Department of Digital Arts led by Vince Briffa. Postgraduate programmes in graphic arts and games will assist local industry in finding personnel for growth and development in these new areas.

A Department of Cognitive Science will be set up, headed by Noellie Brockdorff. The department conducts research in cognitive science and applies it to knowledge creation, decision-making, knowledge transfer and knowledge dissemination so as to improve message design in different media contexts.

Joe Cannataci will lead the Department of Information Policy and Governance.

For more information, visit www.um.edu.mt/maks.